University of Idaho Extension is increasing its support for food banks in northern Idaho in response to cuts in federal assistance. Extension staff are cultivating potatoes and collaborating with cattle producers to address the shortfall resulting from reduced federal food programs.

Following a request from the Bonner Community Food Center, U of I’s Sandpoint Organic Agricultural Center has planted 600 pounds of potato seed this season, with plans to include other storage crops such as winter squash, cabbage, and onions in the future. Despite the late planting, officials anticipate a harvest of up to one ton of potatoes.

Kyle Nagy, superintendent of SOAC, expressed the intent to assist the community: “We’re always looking for ways we can be helpful and impactful in our community, and when this opportunity came up, it was a no-brainer for us. We knew we had to help.”

The effort arises as northern Idaho experiences notable food insecurity, with 14.7% of the overall population and 21% of children facing unreliable food access. Debbie Love, executive director of the Bonner Community Food Center, reported a 53% increase in demand over the past two years amid significant declines in federal assistance.

Audra Cochran, an Extension educator, remarked on the widespread issue of food insecurity, stating, “Food insecurity really is an issue across the nation, but especially in Idaho and definitely in north Idaho. We’re all teaming up to help the food banks and our communities.”

Additionally, Extension educators are collaborating with Idaho’s beef industry through the Beef Counts program, which recently labeled 2,000 pounds of ground beef for the Idaho Foodbank Lewiston Branch. Since its inception in 2010, the program has supplied over 6.5 million servings of beef to those in need.